Barcelona have reached a deal for former Schalke, Hamburg and Real Betis defender Heiko Westermann to join their coaching staff. Until now, the 40-year-old had been an assistant manager for the German under-19 side, managed by Christian Worns.

Westermann has been brought in as a translator in part, with knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish game from his year at Betis in 2015-16, as per Marca. Westermann retired in 2018, and went into coaching less than a year later, starting as a youth coach for Dusseldorf, before moving into the youth ranks at the German national team.

There presumably he became aware of Hansi Flick, and one of his assistants in Marcus Sorg. Along with Toni Tapalovic, Westermann will form part of the new German contingent in the coaching staff.  President Joan Laporta has signalled that the new coaching staff, to be joined by fitness coach Julio Tous, are expected to provide a much fitter Barcelona side.